Being Bilingual in Spanish a discrimination against job seekers
Public Comments (2,313)
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Aug 3rd, 2014Someone from Woodside, NY signed.
Aug 2nd, 2014Someone from Allentown, PA writes:
It is discriminatory to write "bilingual applicants" only on job postings. It is also discriminatory to refuse to hire someone who is not bilingual. Bilingual should be an advantage but not a requirement for a job. I have been to many interviews and the number one reason why I still don't have a job is because I'm not bilingual. I mean, I appreciate the business's honesty in stating why I was not hired for any of the positions, but I feel highly discriminated against because I am a white woman trying to find a job. I even have my Master's degree and find it absolutely appalling that the individuals who are able to get these jobs 1. are under qualified, 2. lack any experience in the field, 3. have poor work ethic. The only reason why they were hired is because they are bilingual. This is ridiculous... what is the U.S. coming to that white, English-speaking women with a lot of experience and a high degree can't even obtain a job...?Aug 1st, 2014Someone from Tucson, AZ writes:
If a job states they prefer or require Spanish speakers it is because they have a service to provide and clients to serve that speak Spanish. Businesses must tailor to their clients. It is unfortunate to the people who do not speak Spanish, but at the same time, you would not be successful at the job if the people you need to serve can't understand you! It depends where you work. I serve a specific client population (50% Spanish speaking only) and if I did not know Spanish, I would not be able to help these families. I am a nurse and know a skill, but for this position I need an additional skill to communicate well (Spanish). I hear your frustrations, but because this is America people are allowed to speak other languages and live here.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 31st, 2014Someone from Goleta, CA writes:
I never really though about this until recently as I was purusing jobs and seeing all those asking for Bilingual only. To me this is discrimination. If I put an ad in the paper and asked for English only I would bet that would create an issue with those who can't speak English. Sorry but this is America - you speak my language if you want to live here!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 31st, 2014Someone from Los Angeles, CA writes:
I feel sad that finding a career is no longer based on my qualifications not my education but my ability to speak Spanish. Yes it is good to know but it should never be a deciding factor for a job. We send our kids to school to acquire an education and learn a specific skill. During this time there is no class that speaks of the need of Spanish speaking persons. The class is taught in English. The books are published in English. The assignments are in English. The diploma is in English. Yet when you pull up a job application it requires Spanish. Something is really wrong with this.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 30th, 2014Someone from Palmdale, CA signed.
Jul 29th, 2014Someone from Los Angeles, CA signed.
Jul 28th, 2014Someone from Sacramento, CA signed.
Jul 28th, 2014Someone from Beaumont, CA writes:
I am in the process of trying to change career paths and every position that I qualify for 9 times out of 10 say Bilingual preferred or Bilingual required. This is completely discriminating to the group of people who are not of Hispanic origin. This is America and our national language is English. Why should it not be required that everyone speak English for a job? There are hard working, intelligent people out there that are more than qualified to do these jobs. Why should we be denied because we dont speak Spanish? It is not rightREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 27th, 2014Someone from Olympic Valley, CA writes:
I feel discriminated against in the jobs that require Spanish speaking. I have been looking for a job for almost one year and not being bi-lingual has been part of my challenge. Please consider changing the laws that allow this.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 27th, 2014Someone from Olympic Valley, CA writes:
I feel discriminated against in the jobs that require Spanish speaking. I have been looking for a job for almost one year and not being bi-lingual. Please consider changing the laws that allow this.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 27th, 2014Someone from El Paso, TX signed.
Jul 26th, 2014Someone from Berlin, NJ writes:
I've been unemployed from the non-profit sector for a year now. If I was fluent in Spanish, I would have had a job months ago.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 25th, 2014Someone from South Gate, CA writes:
I honestly, agree with this. They're many Spanish speaking people here in the United States, but we do as well have many Asians and African decent. I do see, a lot of African decent and Asian decent working in places where a lot of Spanish customers. This is know from experience. Yet, they don't speak Spanish. However, when it comes to me, apparently I'm required to speak Spanish, which doesn't make sense. I'm an American Citizen. English is my first language.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 25th, 2014Someone from Lake Elsinore, CA writes:
I strongly protest the REQUIREMENT to speak any language, unless it is directly a skill, ie. TRANSLATOR. People come to America, you must learn ENGLISH, there are so many resources for them to learn, FREE! Yet, its not taken advantage of for so many irritating reasons! I am a nurse, all medical information is in English. Anyone who is hired due to their presumption they are bilingual, they are not screened for profiencency. Therefore, this could or has I'm sure, led to a major liability issue. LEARN ENGLISH! SIMPLE.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 24th, 2014Someone from San Diego, CA writes:
Recently finished college with my B.S. and certification and now have been job hunting for months. Being bilingual should not hinder my qualifications for a career. I believe it is completely discriminatory; especially when persons who are being hired lack the skills compared to others with greater attributes.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 24th, 2014Someone from Roseville, CA signed.
Jul 23rd, 2014Someone from Yakima, WA writes:
After applying for over 250 jobs, I've given up. Here in Yakima, WA if you aren't bilingual - you aren't getting the job.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 22nd, 2014Someone from Manteca, CA signed.
Jul 22nd, 2014Someone from El Paso, TX writes:
It is very discouraging when you have worked your butt off through out school and through your career to not be able to get a job because you do not speak Spanish. I moved here 4 years ago and it took me 5 months to find my last job (place of employment closed). So I am back to square 1 and the staff I managed are getting interviews in positions I have applied for, I have not had one call back. But guess what?? they are bilingual. Go figure!REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 22nd, 2014Someone from Fort Collins, CO signed.
Jul 22nd, 2014Someone from Houston, TX signed.
Jul 19th, 2014Someone from Gustine, CA writes:
Wow - I had no idea there was a petition for this - but I sure am glad I found it. I was laid off a year ago and still to this day have not been able to find a job. Almost every little job on the market requires you to be bilingual in Spanish and it is absolutely ridiculous. I am not hispanic, and did not grow up in a home speaking Spanish, neither are my children. Therefore, not only is it difficult for me to get a job, it will be just as difficult, if not worse, for my children. They will have an unfair advantage of being able to succeed in life. All who are unable to speak Spanish, are automatically thrown out as candidates for employment. If anything, English should be the requirement.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Homestead, FL writes:
Being born and raised here in the United States has become such a burden to those of non Hispanic decent. I've seen on applications where it has even singled out if you were Mexican or not. What ever happened to Hispanic or Latino? As an American (Caucasian) who has served over 9yrs in the United States Army, and has had specialized training and experience in difficult situations. Why should it be difficult for a vets such as myself to find work. Many companies I see are speaking of being Veteran friendly. Even coming to our facilities holding "Job Fairs". If I can run a warehouse in Iraq, I can certainly handle a Home Depot, Wal-Mart etc.. I'm applying to work at a bank and everything says Spanish English required. My question is, if everyone in your store already speaks Spanish. Why would you possibly need one more? Now I've dated a few Latin women in my past and one in particular will never leave my mind. This young lady came from another country with her brother just a few years ago. Her mother on the other hand had already been here for over 14yrs. Now not only did her mother ridicule me for being a service member and stereotyped as not making enough money. She couldn't even speak a lick of English. This woman was not the first of this kind I've come across. There have been many people this GRINGO can out perform professionally. WHY MUST THIS BE THE ONLY COUNTRY TO NOT HAVE A NATIONAL LANGUAGE? If English is supposed to be an international language why can't they speak it in my homeland?REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Dallas, TX writes:
Didn't know you had to know Spanish to read work orders written in English, nor operate equipment built in AMERICA!!! THIS IS AMERICA ISN'T IT???REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Alpine, TX writes:
Everyone has to pass an English language test to become a citizen. This bilingual job requirement only exists to accommodate illegal aliens. 5 years of college and can't get a job.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Miami, FL writes:
If the government will allow this type of discrimination. They should at least prepare our kids to have a fair chance at employment by making spanish learning more pronounced in in school. They only give us enough to remember how to say "No hablo español". I went to a staffing agency where of course everyone was Hispanic. The person who handled me told me all of there clients are only looking for English and Spanish. I called one of their clients who was hiring for an administrative position and they told me that position does not require you to be bilingual. This makes since seeing as how it is not a customer service position. Being black is already a disadvantage. Equal Opportunity was suppose to help that. Seeing how little the government is doing to make sure we at least get the opportunity of an interview, they should at least mail every citizen a free copy of Rosetta Stone. It's only fair. Elected Officials care so much about getting the Hispanic vote that they sweep this devastating problem under the rug. After all, they can afford to get their best private Spanish lessons or call in a favor for their kids to get a 6 figure. Do not mistake my frustrations for hate. I'm just angry that Our government has failed us and many Hispanics look down on blacks and only prefer their on kind so they hide there prejudice behind the must speak Spanish and English label. I mean, why do you need to speak Spanish to work as a Warehouse Associate? Just to let my Hispanic friends know, you can't get to white house or Congress on the Hispanic vote alone. You get what you give. So let's be nice:)REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Mesa, AZ writes:
Cultural discrimination. So if I speak mandarin and not spanish, I am out of the running. Where is the fairness.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 18th, 2014Someone from Las Vegas, NV signed.
Jul 18th, 2014Someone from Hanford, CA signed.
Jul 16th, 2014Someone from Patchogue, NY writes:
I am unable to obtain a teaching position because of bilingual requirements. I feel completely discriminated against.REPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 16th, 2014Someone from Houston, TX signed.
Jul 16th, 2014Someone from Hollywood, FL signed.
Jul 16th, 2014Someone from Gresham, OR signed.
Jul 15th, 2014Someone from Morton, IL writes:
8 years of college but can't get a job because I don't speak SpanishREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 15th, 2014Someone from Morton, IL writes:
8 years of college but can't get a job because I don't speak SpanishREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 15th, 2014Someone from Morton, IL writes:
8 years of college but can't get a job because I don't speak SpanishREPORT COMMENTS
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No, CancelJul 14th, 2014Someone from Los Angeles, CA writes:
I don't understand why we can go to school get the loans, knowledge, and the license for these jobs then we get out here for them and get hit with you have to be bilingual to get the job . Now we are stuck no job but loans that have to be paid how is that right to us now all the job are being took by bilingual speaker every were you go that's what you see.REPORT COMMENTS
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